My vocabulary sucks Forum

[rivermaker]

I get a question wrong out of maybe every 3 or 4 preptests because of my shit vocabulary. For all others that share my lack of the English language please post words that youve come across on the LSAT (pretty much always LR sections) that have given you a problem. If there is already a list, a link would be even better. Thank you all.

Here is what I have so far. Have a lot more, but i dont want to be laughed at. Thanks
avant guard
discerning
interim

[TMC116]

Get a dictionary app or software (should be free on a mac). Keep a running list of those words. You should add "invariably" to the list (as it comes up a lot on tests).

Every time you see a word you don't know. Write it down and then put it into your dictionary. Look for the definition and thesaurus results. Keep a running list

[rivermaker]

Yeah thanks for input. I started a list, but would like to know a few that I may not know in future prep tests.

[KevinP]

I know how you feel.

2 words come to mind that LSAC absolutely loves:
efficacy
exacerbate

[LSAT Blog]

Here's a list of common LR vocab words.

[rivermaker]

thank you thank you

[glucose101]

Honestly, jot down words you don't know when you read RC/LR passages and other reading works. Perhaps look at GRE word lists if you aren't being exposed to enough challenging vocab.

[incompetentia]

Perhaps look at GRE word lists if you aren't being exposed to enough challenging vocab.

This will knock things out in a hurry.

If you have extra time outside of LSAT study, this is probably the case where I'd be most inclined to recommend things like NYTimes/Economist reading when you have the chance.

[Helicio]

I get a question wrong out of maybe every 3 or 4 preptests because of my shit vocabulary. For all others that share my lack of the English language please post words that youve come across on the LSAT (pretty much always LR sections) that have given you a problem. If there is already a list, a link would be even better. Thank you all.

Here is what I have so far. Have a lot more, but i dont want to be laughed at. Thanks
avant guard
discerning
interim

avant-gard: opposite of "kitsch"...usually means something new or bold, etc., often in regards to art and the such

discerning: I usually think of this as being able to see things very well, more than other people

interim: "In the interim, I suggest you do this" (Like in the mean time)


And yeah I know what you mean. The trick is using context when you don't understand one of the words.

[thederangedwang]

I get a question wrong out of maybe every 3 or 4 preptests because of my shit vocabulary. For all others that share my lack of the English language please post words that youve come across on the LSAT (pretty much always LR sections) that have given you a problem. If there is already a list, a link would be even better. Thank you all.

Here is what I have so far. Have a lot more, but i dont want to be laughed at. Thanks
avant guard
discerning
interim

avant-gard: opposite of "kitsch"...usually means something new or bold, etc., often in regards to art and the such

discerning: I usually think of this as being able to see things very well, more than other people

interim: "In the interim, I suggest you do this" (Like in the mean time)


And yeah I know what you mean. The trick is using context when you don't understand one of the words.

Unfortunately that doesnt always work. If a word that you don't understand comes in the passage or prompt, you can use context to figure out the general meaning. But most times (imo) the words comes in the answer...especially the questions that ask...."what did the author mean when he stated, in line 15, ....

usually the answer choices for those questions are just single words which can be quite intimidating

[Rock-N-Roll]

thank you thank you

I don't know how to ask this without sounding like a colossal jerk, but are you serious? Avant guard, discerning, interim, efficacy, and exacerbate are all high-school/middle-school level vocabulary words.

As far as I know, the LSAT tests mainly logical reasoning and reading comprehension. Unlike the LSAT, vocabulary is not meant to be a factor on the test.

I would seriously recommend getting a reading list with some classics on it off the web or from a teacher, and just plow through like a hundred (literally) of those books before the LSAT. I think reading level appropriate literature is the only realistic way to expand your vocabulary. I do wish you the best of luck though if you are serious about this.

[sarahlawg]

lol this reminds me of when I sat down to a group of my older relatives (gpa, gma, uncle, etc) when I was like 19 and said how it was great reading the books in college, I mean, had they ever even heard the word harbinger? They all looked at me dumbfounded like I'd left out the punchline. Then they laughed and have never let me live it down. Learning new words is fun.

[rivermaker]

I don't know how to ask this without sounding like a colossal jerk, but are you serious? Avant guard, discerning, interim, efficacy, and exacerbate are all high-school/middle-school level vocabulary words.

Yes I am serious. I agree it is quite pathetic and I also agree that vocabulary is not a huge factor on the LSAT, but I do not want to miss another LR question because of it. I'm not talking about it happening every test. More like 1 out of every 3 or 4 practice tests for a single question. So I think my time could be better spent drilling and doing pt's over reading The Great Gatsby.

I will memorize the words I don't know on that LR list that was linked above and that should be sufficient.

[Rock-N-Roll]

lol this reminds me of when I sat down to a group of my older relatives (gpa, gma, uncle, etc) when I was like 19 and said how it was great reading the books in college, I mean, had they ever even heard the word harbinger? They all looked at me dumbfounded like I'd left out the punchline. Then they laughed and have never let me live it down. Learning new words is fun.

The point is, developing a vocabulary is not a huge deal => Read good books/literature.

[itsirtou]

freerice.com

enjoy

(you can change the level to make it harder or easier)

[sarahlawg]

freerice.com

enjoy

oh man. I have given so much rice.

[itsirtou]

freerice.com

enjoy

oh man. I have given so much rice.

haha me too

especially since they have all the different categories (idk if those have always been there and i've just never noticed or what)

[Rock-N-Roll]

More like 1 out of every 3 or 4 for a single question. So I think my time could be better spent drilling and doing pt's over reading The Great Gatsby.

Well if that is the case, I certainly don't wish to put you down. I know that it is very possible to get through college, and do very well, without writing or reading a whole lot (I was a hard-science major myself).

BUT I would actually argue with you that in your situation reading the Great Gatsby and other such novels would give you more of a boost than just ramming through more practice tests.

[rivermaker]

Well if that is the case, I certainly don't wish to put you down. I know that it is very possible to get through college, and do very well, without writing or reading a whole lot (I was a hard-science major myself).

BUT I would actually argue with you that in your situation reading the Great Gatsby and other such novels would give you more of a boost than just ramming through more practice tests.

Thanks for the advice and maybe I will try to do a lot more hard reading in the next 59 days. Just not novels.

[thecilent]

More like 1 out of every 3 or 4 for a single question. So I think my time could be better spent drilling and doing pt's over reading The Great Gatsby.

Well if that is the case, I certainly don't wish to put you down. I know that it is very possible to get through college, and do very well, without writing or reading a whole lot (I was a hard-science major myself).

BUT I would actually argue with you that in your situation reading the Great Gatsby and other such novels would give you more of a boost than just ramming through more practice tests.

Lol no. I agree with everything you said until the last thing. PTs are obvi more important

[bp shinners]

Ephemeral's a good word to look up.

[paulshortys10]

Sucks when English isn't your first language.

[soj]

exacerbate

+1

the other thing to look out for is common words used in a nontraditional way. words like debatable can mean inviting debate, or it could mean questionable (i.e. bad).

[tyro]

Perfunctory and ambivalence were a couple of words that I recall coming up in answer choices meant to describe the attitude of the author in RC passages. For whatever reason, when I hear the word "ambivalence" I want to think it means skepticism when it actually means having mixed feelings.

[rivermaker]

Sucks when English isn't your first language.

Don't know why you assume English is not my first language. I actually was born and raised in the Orange County area just like you guy.